Taking the Mykonos

Overview

Strut your way about Mykonos before making sail to Naxos and its beautiful beaches, old towns and older still ruins. Splash about in the waters of the Small Cyclades and dine on Greek yum yums in Amorgos. Gawk at museums, architecture and churches in Ios and Santorini.

Once upon a time, Mykonos was the mythic battlefield where Zeus fought the Titans. Today it's best known for some pretty racuous nightlife (and daylife, if we're being honest). We’re not sure if this is what Zeus would have wanted, but we’re not complaining. Cheers Big Z.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Mykonos

Mykonos owes its name to the King of Delos (who, funnily enough, was called Mykonos). Some of the original inhabitants of the island were great sailors, which makes it kind of fitting that you're sailing too. It doesn't matter if you're a great sailor or not, just go with it. OK?

The adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 4pm on Day 1

Take in the nightlife, chic cafes, restaurants, galleries and boutiques give way to the island's wonderful sandy beaches

Check out the Church of Panagia Paraportiani

Soak in the atmosphere by joining sun-seekers and party-goers on the beach or take a day trip to the sacred island of Delos, birthplace of Apollo and Artemis

Day 2-3 - Naxos

Naxos - not to be confused with the classical music label - is the largest of the Cycladic Islands. This makes it an excellent contender for a few days of relaxation. When you got bored of the villages and churches you can walk around the ancient citrus groves and chill out on the beach. Naxos has got it all, man.

Head for the Bay of Gaidharos for breakfast and a swim, before making your way across the glistening water to Naxos

Head to the island of Naxos and indulge in the culture, beaches, villages, olive groves and, of course, the vibe of Hora

The old town areas of Hora are perfect for a stroll or partake in the nightlife

The best beach choices are to the south, where water-sports are also on offer

Follow a pathway up to the Venetian Kastro where mansions, monuments and churches all retain their medieval spirit in a mass of winding laneways

Stop by the old Roman Catholic Cathedral in the square, and the nearby Archaeological Museum which is housed in the former Jesuit School of Commerce

Take an optional jaunt out into the countryside - glimpse local rural life, visit one of the oldest temples in Greece, then chill out up in the hills with lunch at a family tavern

Get a taste of the local brew with a shot of Kitron, basically a lemon liquer, and top it off with a wander along the beach

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 4 - Small Cyclades

Most travellers pass over the Small Cyclades in favour of Naxos. They are fools. You are not. Because on this trip you get to see both. The Small Cyclades is a group of six main islands and loads of little ones. Spending time here is like spending time in paradise. In fact, this might just be paradise. Go find out please.

Cast off this morning for a 5 hour amble over sparkling water and arrive in the Small Cyclades

Make the most of the clear waters, great beaches, friendly locals and sleepy tavernas all built around quaint fishing villages

Explore town, sample some fresh seafood in a waterfront taverna, then sit back and simply enjoy the Mediterranean

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 5 - Amorgos

Amorgos has its own magazine and its own website. If you go on the website you can watch a live webcam of Amorgos as it happens. It makes for pretty boring watching, to be honest, but you should never judge an Amorgos by its webcam.

Enjoy a brief 3 hour sail to reach the rugged, mountainous island of Amorgos - known to the world as the location of Luc Bresson's film, 'The Big Blue'

The waterfront is a great place to relax with its restaurants, cafés and bars

Perhaps take some time to explore the nearby the ancient Minoan Settlement

Drive up to the spectacular 11th century monastery, Moni Hozoviotissis, which is built on the cliff-face

Stroll through the labyrinth of narrow stone laneways and Byzantine churches surrounding the town square

Take time to visit The Amorgos Archaeological Collection in nearby Gavros Tower, one of the few remaining towers on the island

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 7-8 - Ios/Santorini

Ios is home to 365 churches and chapels, which means you could visit one every day of the year. Santorini was formed by a huge volcanic explosion. Consider yourself factoided.

Sail through the remarkable caldera, the hubbub of this island is yours for the taking

The capital of Fira, perched on the edge of the caldera, has an exciting range of restaurants, shops and bars on hand to sample

Perhaps make the most of the great scenery by taking a walk along the rim to Firostefani, Imerovigli and Oia

Take in grand old Venetian and Byzantium-inspired architecture, such as the Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral, Catholic Cathedral and Dominican Convent

Make time to swing by the Megaron Gyzi Museum, The Museum of Prehistoric Thera and the Archaeological Museum

Spend some hours exploring Santorini's volcanic red and black beaches

Departure time on Day 8 is by 10am

NB. We recommend you consider booking an extra night's accommodation after this trip to see all the sights of Santorini. The Itinerary above is subject to change and may vary depending on weather or berth availability. Your Skipper will make the final call to ensure your safety at all times.

What to Know

What's Included

Not Included

International flights, airport transfers, departure taxes, visas, insurance (compulsory on all trips), meals not listed (lunches and dinners), any optional tours or activities during free time, camera fees, excess baggage charges, tips, trip kitty and items of a personal nature.

Safety Information

Petty theft and personal safety:While travelling there is always the risk of pick-pocketing and petty theft, particularly in the more touristy cities. We recommend that you exercise caution when walking alone at night and encourage you to walk together and only on main, well-lit thoroughfares. Be particularly vigilant on public transport. Simple measures like carrying your day pack on your front, not hanging your bag over the back of your chair or on the floor and wearing a money belt will reduce any chance that your valuables should go missing.Water safety at sea:Travellers that are able and confident swimmers will be able to enjoy swimming & snorkelling off the boat, but please always note the skipper's advice and instructions on when and where to swim and what precautions to consider. Travellers who are not able to swim are certainly welcome on this trip, but you will be required to wear a life jacket when we are sailing.

Reviews

Past Travellers' Ratings & Comments

At the end of each trip, we ask our travellers to provide feedback. We publish the positive, negative and neutral feedback on this page to give you an overall idea of what to expect on this trip.

Taking the Mykonos

Tara - United Kingdom, 11 Aug, 2012

5

Overall Rating

I was originally not fully aware of the number of optional extras and was therefore shocked to realize that without participating in any of the additional tours, there would really be no trip at all. The fact that the optional extras were very reasonably priced really made up for this.